Chapter 499: Lost one (2/2)
”Look,” said Tonza, ”-the trail stops here suddenly. There are no drag marks; no evidence.”
”A concealment spell,” said Miya, ”-has their mage maintained this for that long?” two knocks, ”-it's strong, too strong.”
”Can you break it?” wondered Ko.
”Obviously,” a gentle tap of her staff and the whole thing cracked. The stench of rot exploded; there was something distinct about it. ”-Smells like a body, a human body,” commented Scarlet.
”I'll lead the way,” said Tonza, ”-Ko, watch out backs.” The students followed silently; Julius kept at the outer ranks per request of the guild members in case of ambushes. The faint icy glow muddled into darkness, the more they walked, the stronger became the smell.
*Bestow onto me a light!* the golden rimmed staff blazed the entire hideout. On one side rested Beth and Misna, sleeping with clenched stomachs. Opposite them was Anna and Frost cuddling without clothes. Rena, Jen, and Lampard laid in the middle head facing the inviting ceiling.
”W-who are you?” asked Anna shrunk from hunger.
”My lady,” rushed Ila.
”Frost,” said Cole to his partner's side.
”We're just in time,” commented Ko.
”Yeah,” said Miya moving towards Jen. ”-She's suffering from the monster's curse,” knelt at her side, ”-Guild Leader, I need permission to operate on her right away.”
”How badly is she hurt?”
”Mortally, they smartly froze her arms. The only choice is to amputate the limb before it gets worse.” Pale to the point of a ghost, Jen's breathing remained slow. Rena had her arms wrapped around Lampard, she didn't let go, her face held the fear of a beast.
”Lady Beth,” voiced Julius, ”-are you ok?”
”Help,” said she gathering her strength, ”-you finally came?”
”Yes,” he gave a helping hand, ”-just in time.”
”No,” refuted Misna, ”-you can't save us,” her legs closed, ”-he'll be here soon. He's going to demand what is due for our survival, he's coming.”
”Who are you talking about?” the aura shifted, Beth, Misna, Frost, and Anna's body subconsciously tried to hide.
'Something awful happened here,' thought Julius. '-Frost and Anna are naked, I don't suspect foul play from the two. Beth and Misna are strong, why are they acting so weirdly. They give the same reaction to the ladies we rescue in the underworld.'
”Who dares thread onto my hunting ground?” approached a darkened figure enshrouded in mystic and terror. With a large cape, white hair, and red eyes, he'd often lick his pale lips. ”Are you humans so foolish to come to steal what I've taken under my protection?”
”Stay away,” voiced Tonza, ”-we don't want trouble.”
”I know you don't,” he laughed, ”-however, the people there entrusted themselves to me willingly. I saved them from starvation, I gave them food and comfort. All for the small price of their body and blood. What's wrong in that?”
”Stay away,” voiced Tonza, ”-I'm saying this once. Another step and we'll have a problem.”
”How quaint,” he laughed, ”-please, there's no need for such hostility. I saved them, do I really have to repeat myself?” a step and he dashed for Anna's throat, ”-this one here is particularly delicious,” the hands reached around her chest and towards her legs, ”-she got undressed for my coming,” he licked her neck provokingly.
”MY LADY!” screamed Ila.
”Shut it,” a single glare had her onto the ground suffocating. ”-I don't wish to alarm anyone, I'm a vampire working for the demons. Turning side is very much entertaining.”
”Ko, Miya, Scarlet.”
”Don't worry,” said the lady with her blade already reach for the vampire.
*Slash,* two well aim strike at his tendon freed the girl, whom, Tonza rushed in to save. Ko loaded the magazine with silver bullets and fired relentlessly.
”We need to go, like now,” voiced Julius.
”Yeah, yeah,” said Ko.
”We can't,” cried Miya, ”-we can't leave them alone.”
”No choice,” said Beth, ”-come on,” she pulled her arms and made for the exit. The event happened so fast the students reached the hall within seconds. The sad reality was, Lampard, Rena, and Jen had to be left behind. Leonard wanted to react… yet, the seed of terror embued by the nightwalker had broken the resolve. '-I'm running away,' thought he staring Julius's blond hair. '-I'm worthless…'
”Pathetic humans. Leaving the injured behind to save themselves. How very weak,” he hovered after them.
”Quick, we're closing on the elevator.” The crowd lessened one by one.
”You!” exclaimed the nightwalker, ”-how dare you run away with my prey!”
”GO GO,” screamed Cole, ”-MOVE, ILA, COME ON!”
”No,” her pace slowed and soon found herself at the back.
”THIS IDIOT!” cried Cole for she turned and charged for the nightwalker.
”LEAVE HER,” said Julius, ”-SCARLET, MIYA, GO, TAKE THEM!” he went after the rogue girl. The frozen images of the students as he went after Ila burnt into the heart.
”Very nice,” her punch gained velocity, ”-yet, the pathetic attempt is useless,” a swipe threw her across the hall.
”Stop this fighting,” ordered Julius, ”-are you not part of the Blood-King faction?”
”I was,” he laughed, ”-I was. Then, the demons approached with a better offer. The ways of peace are so boring. Do you know how much, us, immortals, have to suffer?”
”How selfish.”